Parking Lot in lieu of Trees?

[Darryl Parker]

The USPS for Matthews 28105 has purchased the land next to their facility. I have heard several rumors in the last few weeks that this area is intended for a parking lot and all of the old growth trees there will be lost to this development. At the pace of tree loss in our town, can we afford to lose these trees simply for parking?

If you don't think it can be done, just look at the recent development done near the intersection of Hwy 51 and Sam Newell Rd. The rumor was that a few trees were to be spared, but when you drive by today you will see it has been completely stripped of its vegetation. I did not see, however, the large growth trees similar to what I see on the USPS property.

I've seen it time and time again in the last 20 years where developers come in and completely destroy the landscape only to come back upon completion of the work and plant a few small trees to replace the oaks and maples that give our area such beauty all year long.

What do you think?

[Dean Roberts]

The Post Office in Matthews has Approximately 105 employees. The parking lot will be for Employees, with access from E. Charles St. Daily, there are approximately 25 vehicles in the front lot belonging to employees due to the lack of available spaces in the rear of the building.Currently, there is no funding available to do this project, so for quite some time, the property will remain as it does now. All spending for new construction is frozen due to the current fiscal shape of the USPS and I would not expect to see a change for at least a couple of years.

[Nancy LaFond]

Thanks for the info!